SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — He had the wisdom of Solomon and the strength of Atlas, as the saying goes.
Captain 11’s suit has been home at our downtown Sioux Falls studio since May of 2023.
Monday night, it is back in Pierre. The blue jumpsuit was on loan from the South Dakota State Historical Society.
It seems like a lot of fuss for a piece of clothing, but Captain 11 is an iconic part of KELOLAND’s history. Dave Dedrick played the part for more than 40 years on TV. Kids and their parents would travel from all over the region to attend the afternoon cartoon show in the Keloland studio.
To celebrate our 70th anniversary as a TV station, KELOLAND decided to bring back the blue uniform with yellow piping. Dedrick wore this suit during the early 80s. The uniform has been on display in the Keloland lobby for the past 25 months. Keloland donated the suit to the historical society, and now it is being carefully packed up and is going back to Pierre. Since prolonged exposure to light can eventually break down the fabric, it will likely be placed in storage for several years.
“It’s the responsibility of the state historical society to take things off exhibit for a time and let it rest in the dark so that in 500 years people can still see Captain,” said Curator of Exhibits, Daniel Moeckly.
KELOLAND’s Director of Marketing and Creative Services, Paul Farmer, worked with Dave Dedrick and says he would be proud that we are remembering Captain 11’s legacy.
“He always talked about when he would have three generations in his audience there, that that was a great thrill for him,” said Farmer. “I think the Captain would be truly honored that we’ve brought back the uniform for a couple of years, and now it’s going back to the museum in Pierre for everyone to enjoy for years and years.”
The Captain 11 show first aired on March 7th, 1955
